Over the years, our two main political parties have spent a significant amount of resources promoting the leaders of their parties. In the 1970's it was all about Michael Manley and Edward Seaga. I know we cannot get away from this because the leader of the party will be the Prime Minister of Jamaica. I wish the people of Jamaica were able to elect the Prime Minister directly. The same should go for members of the senate and our mayors.
In recent times, the political effort has been to target the Prime Minister because if the head falls, the party falls, and the other side has a better opportunity of getting hold of the political reins of power.
I am getting nervous because the new trend is to use the courts and institutions of government to bring down the PM. While this might be a legitimate and a legal way of doing so, it has negative political implications.
This could become a new trend in that, rather than getting out the PM using the ballot box, we use other means. People will accept the decisions made by voters and reflected in the ballot box, but not by other means, especially if you have a popular leader.
I believe that it is the parliament that should be used to bring down a political leader and not government institutions such as the Integrity Commission or FID. In the case where an institution says that the Prime Ministers finance has not been certified, that ought not to be used as a basis for the Prime Minister to resign or leave office. The decision should rest with the parliament to impeach that leader. Can you imagine forcing a very popular leader from office, and the people decide that they will have none of it? That would be the beginning of political instability.
Probably that is why in some countries, even a convicted person can become the president. The democratic right of the people to elect anyone seems to override everything.
There was a Prime Minister whose health was deteriorating while in office. I was shocked that other media persons and medical persons did not pick it up. What do you do? Call on the person to resign, and then you end up with political infighting over leadership. The matter has to be handled carefully. There was another Prime Minister who could have lost his life in an accident. If he had lost his life, this could be seen as an act of the CIA and our history would be a different one.
I became very concerned when I watched the news report of the demonstration at Heroes Park and some people did not know what they were demonstrating for. In a country where many of us are ignorant, it is not difficult for us to become hignorant.
Let me repeat what I have said in a previous post. An elected government has the right to govern based on its own policies. The constitutions set certain limits though, and that is why certain actions of the government are tested in the courts. The people, including the opposition party, have a right to object to policies. What we should not do is attempt to remove leaders and government without using the ballot or by a decision of parliament.
The people need to think on their own because what one party objects to today, more than likely they committed it yesterday. Those who have ears to hear, let them hear. Another classic example is the MP who was charged and convicted, and her constituents gave her strong support and returned to parliament.This is democracy for you. The results are not what we like, but we have to accept them.
The PNP and the JLP are like two elephants. The people can be seen as the grass. When the two elephants start to fight, it is the grass that will become trampled on.
Today I received pictures from the JLP and PNP about the demonstrations which took place yesterday. Have a look at the video below. The reporter not only reported on the story of a demonstration but also on the thinking of the people. Great reporting. Thanks to the person who sent this to me.
I also got this picture from another political activist. I don't believe this is a real picture. I know that with technology, anything is possible. We have to be careful about what we believe.
I also got some JLP pictures about that expensive wall for Heroes Park, which was never finished. I cannot confirm that because I have not been in that area for a long time. Was that wall completed? Who was the contractor and which ministry was responsible for the building of that wall?
Add your comments to this blog.
__________________________
Click on the link below to answer the questionnaire.
Subscribe Now!
Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.
You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.
Click on the icon below to see the calendar:
 |
| Click to view the calendar. |
Well written article could be the subject of discussions in political science classes.
ReplyDeleteWhat democracy really means.
Is it necessary for the voter to be able to think for themselves to be able to make nationally beneficial decisions.
Vote buying is that now an embedded feature of our electoral processes.If not why not almost everything is for sale in market capitalism.
If votes for sale what would be a fair price$.
Demand and supply direct pricing could range $10-100,000.
ReplyDeleteContracts under the microscope if you DRILL down could range up to billions$.
Interesting responses all Ii pray for is not to return to the days of senseless political deadism.
ReplyDeleteIf someone wants to sell their votes where does one advertise that democracy product.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, the people enable a certain behaviour, whether they vote or not. We sanction a particular behaviour by our votes, just look at the United States & you'll understand. If persons reject certain behaviours then the politicians would take heed as they do what they think will make them rise on top politically. Additionally, when you don't vote, you leave our political system to be determined by persons who can be easily manipulated and you are part of the problem. The politicians won't do anything to influence your vote cause you don't matter as you exert no pressure on the system. As one politician said, such persons are merely the articulate minority.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest; is this really the type of behavior we need for our country and our relationship is getting trapped in the hands ✋️ of our political arena. This does not look good. Seems to me like some people in Jamaica 🇯🇲 thing that they own Jamaicans so they manipulate the people anyhow them want to and they do not expect that people will know that they are doing things to gain power at any cause. They are not going to give credit where credit is due, but to get things done in the way that they are doing now. It is very dangerous and disturbing and distasteful. Worse when they asking some of people why are demonstrating. They do not have a clue why they are out there. What a disgrace! A hope they did not pay those any money for those few hours. I pray 🙏 and hope that they will wake up before it is too late. A hope this is not a bait to fly the gate. Our politicians need to set better examples for our nation to follow and stop ✋️ living so hallow!
ReplyDeleteI think the approach taken in the above article regarding the FID issue, which is attempting to normalize and justify the recent appointment, is actually promoting and encouraging corruption
ReplyDelete